Chapter 5
Frederick and Hobart stood on the dock while they watched the ship carrying crates of Scotch whisky and fabric sail away. Hobart was particularly pleased with the price he negotiated for the whisky. They celebrated by going to the warehouse office and pouring some of the same whisky into glasses.
“Tastes good. I think it may be a good substitute for crates of English tea. What do you think, brother?”
Frederick laughed. “Well, Hobart, I think you may be right. Of course, I would need to taste it again.”
Hobart poured them each a more liberal glass to help them decide.
Almost as soon as the ship sailed, the weather turned stormy, and pouring rain coupled with a fierce wind kept much of London indoors. It was a rare occurrence to have such angry weather. Leaks sprung from roofs, and water came in through the stone foundations of townhouses.
The only unseen benefit of the storm was that the waste thrown out of windows into the gutters on the streets below was washed away by the river that was an outgrowth of the rain.
Of course, no one was sure how clean the water seeping through the stones into the foundations of the townhouses might be.
It crossed Hobart’s mind that the ship probably hit choppy waters, but he calmed himself by reasoning it was too far from land to experience the storm.
All social engagements came to a halt. Ladies could not make it to their carriages from the front door of the townhouses without ruining their gowns. No matter the cloak or number of umbrellas the footmen used to shield the rain, the dresses were soaked through.
Louisa and the Duchess sat in the parlour working on needlepoint in silence, all conversation having been exhausted days ago. They received no visitors leaving Louisa plenty of time to wonder if Jack would visit once the weather improved.
Having too much time to think, Louisa began to worry about Jack. She went over his return from his meeting in the library in her head.
Did he act differently? She didn’t think so. Was his conversation unusual? Not that she remembered.
Maybe she was jumping to conclusions. After what happened with Percy and Nora, she didn’t know. Who would have guessed Percy would be turned away from Nora’s door? But still, she couldn’t help wondering why she felt a little unsure.
There was a knock on the door, and both Louisa and her mother snapped their heads up from their work. No one ventured out in this weather. Louisa strained to hear Mendon. He was admonishing someone for the puddle he made in the foyer.
Mendon walked by the parlour and knocked on the office door. Louisa heard her father say ‘enter’ then heard Mendon open the door and shut it behind him.
Louisa saw Frederick and Mendon walk towards the front door.
“You have correspondence from Hobart you refused to give my butler?” Frederick said, annoyed.
“Your Grace,” Louisa assumed he was bowing, “this is from your brother, and I am following his instructions. I am to hand it to you.”
Frederick sighed. “I’m here. Hand it over. Did my brother instruct you to wait for my reply?”
“Yes, Your Grace. He requested you respond.”
“Very well. Wait here. Mendon, get a footman to dry him and his puddle as best he can.”
*****
Brother,
I have just heard the distressing news that the ship carrying our goods to India has sunk. There is nothing left of the ship, the crew or the crates. Another ship in the area saw and tried to reach our ship in time but couldn’t.
The other ship came back to shore to wait out the storm. The captain is available if you want to talk to him about what he saw.
H
Mendon waited a half hour before knocking on the office door.
“Come.”
Mendon opened the door and bowed. “Your Grace, is there a missive you would like me to give the footman for Lord Haddington?”
With his elbow on the desk, Frederick cradled his head in his hand. “Tell him to tell Hobart I will write him tomorrow or visit him if the weather improves.”
Mendon bowed and left.
After the footman left, Louisa pulled the bell for Mendon.
Mendon entered the parlour and bowed. “Your Grace, Lady Haddington.”
“Mendon is there something wrong?” Louisa asked.
“I don’t know, Lady Harrington. I believe His Grace received bad news from his brother, but he didn’t say.”
“Thank you, Mendon,” Louisa said.
Mendon left, and Louisa turned to her mother. “Uncle Hobart?”
“Cargo,” Amelia said.
“Do you think it was stolen when all of London was inside their homes?” Louisa asked.
The Duchess thought. “Could be. But I thought the ship left the dock already. Do you suppose the ship sank in this weather?
“Louisa. Promise me you won’t ask your father about this. He’ll have enough on his mind.”
Louisa nodded. “I understand.”
*****
Frederick didn’t leave his office that day or for the next two days. Mendon brought him enough bedding to keep him comfortable on his couch, and he instructed Mendon to instruct the kitchen to bring him meals and a maid to clean up after him.
On the third day, he ordered a bath be brought into his office and had his valet fetch him fresh clothes and his razor. Mendon told the valet to stay in there until His Grace looked presentable. Frederick knew he had to meet with Hobart then face his investors. He looked out the window. It still rained, but not as hard. He would visit Hobart today.
Frederick told Mendon to instruct a footman to find out if Hobart was at his house or the warehouse. To tell Hobart he was on his way and to stay put.
“What do you know?” Frederick asked.
“No more than what I told you in my letter. No other ship has come into the dock, so there’s no one else to talk to. I heard so quickly because the other ship turned around and came back to shore rather than ride out the storm at sea.”
Frederick shifted in his chair. “Is there any chance it’s another ship?”
Hobart shook his head. “These men know each other and their ships. The chances they have the wrong ship is next to zero.”
“You have the names of the crew?”
Hobart blew out a breath. “Yeah. I’ll go out and notify the families today. You’re going to take care of the investors?”
Frederick nodded.
*****
In the history of balls, Louisa thought no other was as highly anticipated as the Douglas ball. Getting out from spending four days in the parlour working on her embroidery caused her to be giddy with excitement.
She had spent days wondering. What if Jack didn’t want her anymore like Nora didn’t want Percy? Why did she have that feeling? She would be crushed. The longer she knew Jack, the more she liked him. He wasn’t as playful as Percy, Louisa thought. She never heard him tell a joke, but that trait wasn’t a requirement for her.
She needed him to be attentive, thoughtful, and interested in her mind. She wasn’t stupid. She loved joining conversations that were about things besides dresses, hats, and gloves.
Louisa had stopped looking for other gentlemen at ton social events. Maybe that wasn’t prudent, but she wanted Jack, and she saw no other that compared with him. Except, of course, Percy. But that was different.
Louisa’s smile was dazzling as she curtsied.”Good evening, Lord Duggan.”
Jack bowed. “Good evening, Lady Haddington. It feels like a month since I’ve seen you. Would you honour me with a dance?”
He led her onto the dance floor. “I missed you, Louisa. While indoors, I had to keep company with my two younger sisters. Silly girls. They drove me crazy. All I could do was think about how they compared with you.”
Louisa smiled up at Jack. “That’s kind of you to say. All girls go through a stage when they act silly. I don’t think we are all able to help it.”
Jack rolled his eyes. “Then, tell me, Louisa, when does this stage end?”
She laughed. “I wish I knew.”
Jack never left Louisa’s side throughout the ball. At the midnight meal, he manoeuvred them to sit as far away from the other guests as he was able.
Percy joined them, and Jack welcomed him enthusiastically. Louisa thought about how perfect he was to spend time with her as well as with Percy. She and Percy had vowed not to marry anyone the other disliked. Although Percy never would have held her to it, Louisa was happy she wouldn’t lose Percy’s friendship if she married Jack.
“Any luck?” Louisa asked Percy.
“Not yet. I wish I were tall, handsome, and rich. Oh, wait. You think I am all of those things.” Percy shrugged.
Jack laughed. “I think it’s that dry, humourless personality of yours.”
Louisa giggled. ”Jack’s got a point.”
“Seriously, what am I going to do?”
“Have you spread the word at the club?” Jack asked.
“Believe me, Jack. There isn’t a person over the age of seven who hasn’t heard I’ve been thrown over for another man.”
Jack nodded. “That’s true. But do they know you are actively searching? Some people might think you are a good catch.”
Percy snorted. “Thanks.”
“Jack’s got a point. People might think you are in a corner licking your wounds. Most people wait more than a week before starting to court again.”
“I get it. So you think I should let it be known that I’m open for courting again?”
Jack nodded again. “Yes. Don’t leave any doubt about it. May I suggest you make a sign? Put it around your neck. The sign should say ‘I’m tall, handsome and rich’?”
Louisa turned to Jack. “That’s a really good idea. See, you’re funny.”
Louisa changed the subject. “You heard about Rose?” Louisa said, her voice low.
Both men nodded.
“She’s very nice. How is she handling it?” Percy asked.
Louisa shook her head. “Not well. What makes it even worse is that he doesn’t want to marry her any more than she wants to marry him.”
Jack asked, “Who is he?”
“His name is Gordon Saunders. His father is the Viscount of Portsmouth. The old man thinks it’s time for him to settle down. Apparently, he’s fond of drinking and gambling.”
“At the same time, I presume?” Percy asked.
Louisa continued, “Yes. So his father and Rose’s father came to some sort of understanding. Rose’s father sprung it on her two nights ago. I cannot even begin to tell you the misery she is going through.”
“When’s the wedding?” Jack asked.
“Wednesday. Then they go straight to Portsmouth to stay. Portsmouth doesn’t have as many pubs and gambling halls as here. But, come to think of it, all that town needs is one.”
“Has she met him?” Percy asked.
“No. And she won’t meet him until Wednesday. She thinks her father is keeping them apart because if Rose met him, she would run away.”
“Too bad we couldn’t find someone to haul her off to Gretna Green. Her life sounds like it will be miserable,” Percy said.
“Remember Jordan Cummings was forced to marry Jenny somebody – or – other? It must have been a while ago now because she’s pregnant, and he left her at his estate and moved back to town,” Jack said.
“It’s Stevens, Jenny Stevens. And I heard he ran right back into his mistress’s arms when he moved back here.”
Percy laughed. “Jack was probably trying to keep details like that from your sensitive ears, Louisa.”
Jack nodded. “No comment. But think about it. What a mess.”
“And a mess that lasts a lifetime,” Percy said.
*****
Jack had his doubts about the relationship between Percy and Louisa. On one hand, Percy welcomed Jack with open arms as Louisa’s courter and possible betrothed, but on the other hand, Jack sometimes felt like a third wheel when with them.
They finished each other’s sentences. They tasted each other’s food. They had their own little jokes and personal language. They didn’t purposely leave him out of their little club for two, but he couldn’t compete with their relationship.
Did he need to compete with it? No. They weren’t mooning over each other, and they very rarely touched each other. They said they were like brother and sister. To a certain extent, that seemed to be true.
But did brother and sister take such an active role in who each other were courting? He got Percy’s seal of approval, but what if he hadn’t? Would he not be courting Louisa?
Marriage was between a man and a woman. Not between a man, a woman and another man. How often would he and Louisa see Percy? Every day? What would they discuss about Jack when they were together without him? If he was well endowed? Their sex life? His performance?
Was it possible that Percy and Louisa could wake up one day to find their sexuality awakened?
Jack had strong feelings for Louisa, and he knew Louisa had strong feelings for him. Their relationship was everything he dreamed of. A beautiful woman on his arm, a smart, vibrant conversationalist, and a darling of the ton with her perfect manners. The only thing missing was love, but that was missing from most marriages, so he was not concerned about that. He was concerned Percy and Louisa loved each other, and Louisa would never love Jack.
His rival was out in the open and a good friend, not a lover.